This blog contains reviews and comments on children's books which I own, have read, and would like to share. I look for books at markets and opportunity shops. They are cleaned up, covered and read. Then I take them to the classroom for students to read. Many books are also from my personal library, especially the Youth Fiction. Students can preview some of them on this blog. Now, I am also on the lookout for great new releases for my grandson Archie.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Phoenix by Nan Hunt

This is a very philosophical book and will have some readers wondering what it is that they have just read. It is about a young girl called Roli who lives in the Australian outback. She has failing eyesight and must make a decision soon about a possible but very risky eye operation. She befriends a phoenix which is afraid of fire. Both the girl and the bird are faced with difficult choices. Author, Nan Hunt, is one of Australia's best loved writers of picture books and novels for young readers.

The artwork by Junko Morimoto is just stunning. Each double page is embellished by captivating prints such as the two above. Junko is a survivor the the nuclear bomb which was dropped on her city, Hiroshima. She came to live in Australia in 1982 and has emerged as a well-known illustrator. This video clip about her experiences is well worth watching.

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About Me

Basically I like to have a go at new things, especially in the visual arts area. I love my job teaching but not the paperwork side of things. I firmly believe children need to be given time to do things well and not rush from one thing to another. STOP I say...give a person time to do something properly!